1. Biography
Servius Sulpicius Galba, born in 3 BC as a member of an old and powerful aristocratic family (his father was Consul in 5 BC), quickly ascended the cursus honorum. From 60-68 AD, he was governor in Spain, from where he supported the revolt of C. Iulius Vindex against Nero. His own troops proclaimed him to emperor in June 68 AD, and the senate acknowledged him after Nero's suicide. When Galba made Calpurnius Piso Frugi Licinianus to heir of the throne, the disappointed Salvius Otho plotted against the emperor and had him killed by the Praetorians on January 15 AD. Galba was buried in his gardens at the Via Aurelia, a damnation memoriae was proclaimed by Otho, though recalled by Vespasian in early 70 AD.
2. Coinage
2.1. Some general notes
The following mints issued coins for Galba:
Spain (Tarraco?): Gold, Silver and Aes, since April 68 AD.
Gaul (Narbo? Vienna?): Gold and Silver, since July 68 AD.
Gaul (Lugdunum): Gold, Silver and Aes, December 68 to January 69 AD.
Rome: Gold, Silver and Aes, Summer 68 to January 69 AD.
Africa (Carthage?): uncertain, possibly October 68 to January 69 AD.
The coins of the Spanish and Gaul mint usually have early forms of obverse titulature incorporating IMP alone, un-Roman portraiture and a repertoire of reverse types with a strong focus on Spain and Gaul.
The weight of the coins of Galba (especially the weight of the Aureus) varied a lot. For exact data, see the schedule below.
| |
Aureus |
Denarius |
Sestertius |
Dupondius |
As |
| Spain (Tarraco?) |
7,60-7,75 g |
3,30-3,60 g |
|
|
10,00-11,00 g |
| Gaul (Vienna?, Narbo?) |
7,30-7,50 g |
3,30-3,60 g |
|
|
|
| Gaul (Lugdunum) |
7,00-7,15 g |
3,25-3,50 g |
23,00-26,00 g |
12,50-14,00 g |
10,00-11,00 g |
| Rome |
7,00-7,40 g |
3,20-3,40 g |
25,00-27,50 g |
12,50-14,25 g |
10,00-11,50 g |
| Africa (Carthage?) |
|
3,00-4,00 g |
|
|
|
2.2. Portrait
Galba's postraits are usually very realistic and honest; he often looks quite cruel, but still dignified, especially on Rome mint coins, whereas the African portraits are quite crude.
Different portraits of Galba.
2.3. The Types
Despite his short reign, Galba issued a huge variety of coins. Some of them honour Gallia and Hispania, the base of his revolt; others celebrate the Concordia of the Provinces, the restitution of the liberty and the Pax Publica.
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This Sestertius, stylistically close to Nero's issues, shows Galba on the obverse, surrounded by the legend SER GALBA IMP CAESAR AVG TR P, while the reverse celebrates the SALVS AVGVSTA, the health and welfare assured by the new emperor.
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2.4. Coins
ROMANATIC DATABASE
